Bobbin adapter

ABSTRACT

An annular body portion, carried by the spindle, has spaced protuberances mounted on the periphery thereof extending into engagement with the barrel of the bobbin when placed thereon.

United States Patent [191 Carroll [54] BOBBIN ADAPTER [76] Inventor: Robert L. Carroll, 408 Mclver St.,

Greenville, SC. 2960i 22 Filed: Nov. 2, 1910 211 Appl. No.: 86,034

[52] US. Cl, ..242l46.6 [5 1] Int. Cl ..B65h 75/30, B65h 79/00 [58] Field of Search ...242/46.6, 46.2, 46.3, 46.4,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,928,253 I 9/1933 Goilong ..242/46.5 UK

[ 51 Apr. 3, 1973 9/1966 Ewing et al ..242/46.5 2/1967 Smith et a1 ..242l46.5 X

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 543,649 2/1932 Germany ..242I46.2

Primary Examinerstanley N. Gilreath Attorney-Bailey and Dority [57] ABSTRACT An annular body portion, carried by the spindle, has spaced protuberances mounted on the periphery thereof extending into engagement with the barrel of the bobbin when placed thereon.

2 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures BOBBIN ADAPTER This invention relates to an adapter for positioning a bobbin and the like upon an elongated spindle wherein the adapter includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced protuberances facilitating accurate positioning of the bobbin and facilitating doffing.

Heretofore, adapters of this type have assumed a variety of configurations including a deformable skirt depending therefrom. Such devices deteriorated in use and had a tendency to fly off the spindle during operation. Another adapter included spaced segments which were resiliently biased outwardly, but such had a tendency to jam and come out of alignment, as well as being difficult when doffing.

Accordingly, it is an important object of this invention to provide an improved bobbin adapter which will perform reliably over along period of time.

Another object of this invention is to provide a bobbin adapter which will properly position the bobbin and facilitate doffing.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bobbin adapter having the advantages set forth above, which will facilitate lubrication of the spindle.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a bobbin adapter which may be manufactured within practicalmanufacturing tolerances capable of firmly positioning the bobbin during operation, and yet permitting easy doffing thereof.

It has been found that by using an adapter which includes an annular body portion having a plurality of circumferentially'spaced protuberances, preferably constructed of deformable material, that positioning and doffing of bobbins is facilitated. I

The construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features thereof.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawing forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a sectional elevation illustrating a spindle carrying a bobbin provided with an adapter constructed in accordance withthe present invention,

FIG 2 is an enlarged sectional elevation further illustrating the adapter constructed in accordance with the present invention,

FIG..3 isa plan view taken along line 3-3 in FlG. 2, and I FIG. 3A

modified formof the invention. v

The drawing illustrates an adapter for positioning a bobbin andthe like, having a barrel of uniforminternal diameter upon an elongated spindle element. The adapter includes an annular body portion A having an internal diameter slightly greater than the external diameter of 1 the spindle element when positioned thereon, and an external diameter less than the internal diameter of the bobbin. Means B are provided for means D are mounted on the spindle element in longitudinally spaced relation with the body portion, adjacent the means for, mounting the spindle element for rotation, for receiving said barrel and positioning same in spaced relation to said spindle element.

The adapter is illustrated in connection with the bobbin of the type used on a covering frame for winding yarn, such as nylon yarn, upon a core yarn of the type often constructed of synthetic rubber. The .drawing illustrates the lower bobbin, and in practice another bobbin is similarly positioned thereabove and turned in the opposite direction for winding another strand of nylon yarn on the core yarn. While the drawing illustrates the invention in a specific environment, it is to be understood that applications thereof may be used in connection with other operations, such as plying and down-twisting to a spindle driven package. In this latter connection the bobbin is not driven but yarn is simply pulled off the bobbin.

In the embodiment illustrated the bobbin designated at 10 carries yarn Y thereon for winding same about a vertically ascending core yarn or strand S. The core yarn S passes through a vertical bore or passageway 11 which extends through the fixed blade portion 12 of the spindle. The blade 12 has a fixed base portion 12a, which is secured as by the nut 13 upon the spindle rail 14. A shell 15, which will hereafter be referred to as a spindle element, is carried for rotation upon the blade 12, and is provided with spaced bearings (not shown) to facilitate rotation of the elongated spindle element 15 on the fixed blade 12. A pair of vertically spaced is a view similar to FIG, 3 illustrating a I openings 16 and 17 are provided in the spindle element 15 forlubricating same. A suitable driving means in the form of spindle tape 18 drives the spindle element 15 in the direction of the arrow in FIG; 1. The spindle rail 14 serves as a meansfor mounting the spindle element for rotation. The bobbin 10 has a barrel 10a and a flange 10b on each end thereof. The problem is to position the barrel-10a in concentric relation to the spindle element 15 in such a manner that the positioning of the bobbin may be easily performed and the accuracy thereof maintained during operation thereof, while facilitating doffing. Initially, attempts were made to. solve the problem usin'g'O-rings as'adapters carried by the spindle element. These did not work because of the difficulty in positioning them on the spindle element, and more significantly because of the difficulty in maintaining manufacturing tolerances which would permit proper 10a would-vary so as to cause the above difficulties."

has been found that a ring or'annular member having substantially dome shaped protuberances defining relieved portions therebetween, constructed of deformable material, produces a highly desirable adapter.

The body portion A of the adapter includes laterally extending opposed shoulders 19 and 20 to be confined by the means B for positively positioning the protuberances C. The body portion A, aswell as the protuberances B are preferably integrally constructed as by moulding, each being of deformable material. The protuberances have a base portion adjacent thebody portion A which is wider than an outer portion so as to define relieved portions between adjacent protuberances. The relieved portions are of less distance between adjacent base portions than between adjacent outer portions. The deformable material may be neoprene, however, a suitable synthetic rubbery material has been found to be Buna N having a durometer hardness from 90 to 95 supplied by Precision Associates, Inc., 740 Washington Avenue, N., Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Means B for mounting the annular body portion A include a pair of spaced retaining rings 21 and 22 confining said body portion therebetween. The retaining rings have opposed annular recesses 21a and 22a accommodating the shoulders 19 and 20. Suitable setscrews 21b and 22b which are placed opposite each other for balance, confine the respective retaining rings upon the spindle element 15.

The protuberances C are preferably constructed, as illustrated in FIG. 3, for high speed operations such as on a covering machine where rotation is at about 20,000 R.P.M. In such situations the segments of arcs 23 overlap the next adjacent protuberance defining relieved portions between adjacent protuberances. It will be observed that the arcs 23 are flat in the medial portions thereof providing a substantial area of contact with the barrel a, in that such portions more nearly follow the curvature of the barrel than would a segment of a true circle. In a slower speed operation for a pulling off operation as described above, the arcs are more nearly segments of a circle as illustrated at 23'. The arcs 23' define the protuberances C illustrated in the modified fonn of the invention of FIG. 3A and relieved portions between adjacent arcs. It may be observed in FIG. 3A that the deformable material has been slightly deformed or flattened in the medial portion of the protuberance engaging the barrel 10a.

The annular means D has a tapered portion 24 extending outwardly downwardly toward the spinning rail 14. The annular means D has an opening 25 therethrough in register with the opening 17 for lubricating the spindle element. A set-screw 26 serves to confine the annular means D upon the spindle element 15. I-Ieretofore it has been necessary for lubricating to loosen the set-screw and displace the lower adapter means to expose the opening 17 for lubricating. By placing the openings in register the maintenance operation is considerably facilitated. The annular means D forms a complementary means for positioning the bobbin on its end opposite the protuberances, but if desired, the protuberance arrangement or other positioning means could be used instead.

It is thus seen that the relieved portions between the protuberances allow for some compression of the protuberances but still allow the protuberances, which together with the body portion A form a drive member, to have firm contact with the inner wall of the bobbin or package carrier.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is: 1. An adapter for positioning a bobbin and the like,

having a barrel of uniform internal diameter, upon an elongated spindle element provided with means for mounting same for rotation comprising:

A. an annular body portion having an internal diameter slightly greater than the external diameter of said spindle element when positioned thereon, and an external diameter less than the internal diameter of said barrel;

B. means for mounting said annular body portion upon said spindle element remote from said mounting means, said spindle element having an external diameter less than the internal diameter of said barrel;

C. a plurality of circumferentially spaced domeshaped protuberances having a base portion wider than an outer portion mounted on said annular body portion on the periphery thereof extending into engagement with the barrel when the bobbin is placed thereon, a base portion of said domeshaped protuberances being in close proximity with the adjacent dome-shaped protuberances defining relieved portions between adjacent protuberances of less distance between adjacent base portions than between adjacent outer portions; and

D. annular means mounted on said spindle element in longitudinally spaced relation with said body portion for receiving said barrel and positioning same in space relation to said spindle element.

2. The adapter set forth in claim 1,

A. wherein said means for mounting said annular body portion includes a pair of spaced retaining rings confining said body portion therebetween,

B. said body portion including laterally extending shoulders,

C. said retaining rings having opposed recesses accommodating said shoulders,

D. said spindle element having an opening for lubricating same, and

E. an opening extending through said annular means in register with said opening in said spindle for lubricating said spindle element.

k k i 

1. An adapter for positioning a bobbin and the like, having a barrel of uniform internal diameter, upon an elongated spindle element provided with means for mounting same for rotation comprising: A. an annular body portion having an internal diameter slightly greater than the external diameter of said spindle element when positioned thereon, and an external diameter less than the internal diameter of said barrel; B. means for mounting said annular body portion upon said spindle element remote from said mounting means, said spindle element having an external diameter less than the internal diameter of said barrel; C. a plurality of circumferentially spaced dome-shaped protuberances having a base portion wider than an outer portion mounted on said annular body portion on the periphery thereof extending into engagement with the barrel when the bobbin is placed thereon, a base portion of said dome-shaped protuberances being in close proximity with the adjacent domeshaped protuberances defining relieved portions between adjacent protuberances of less distance between adjacent base portions than between adjacent outer portions; and D. annular means mounted on said spindle element in longitudinally spaced relation with said body poRtion for receiving said barrel and positioning same in space relation to said spindle element.
 2. The adapter set forth in claim 1, A. wherein said means for mounting said annular body portion includes a pair of spaced retaining rings confining said body portion therebetween, B. said body portion including laterally extending shoulders, C. said retaining rings having opposed recesses accommodating said shoulders, D. said spindle element having an opening for lubricating same, and E. an opening extending through said annular means in register with said opening in said spindle for lubricating said spindle element. 